Pride always seeks power and riches because the bath-furnace derives its perfection from dung;
کبر زان جوید همیشه جاه و مال ** که ز سرگینست گلحن را کمال
For these two nurses increase (foster) the skin: they stuff it with fat and flesh and pride and arrogance.
کین دو دایه پوست را افزون کنند ** شحم و لحم و کبر و نخوت آکنند
They have not raised their eyes to the kernel of the kernel: on that account they have deemed the skin to be the kernel.
دیده را بر لب لب نفراشتند ** پوست را زان روی لب پنداشتند
Iblís was the leader on this way, for he fell a prey to the net (temptation) of power (eminence).1950
پیش‌وا ابلیس بود این راه را ** کو شکار آمد شبیکه‌ی جاه را
Riches are like a snake, and power is a dragon: the shadow (protection and guidance) of (holy) men is the emerald (which is fatal) to them both.
مال چون مارست و آن جاه اژدها ** سایه‌ی مردان زمرد این دو را
At (the sight of) that emerald the snake's eye jumps (out of its head): the snake is blinded and the traveller is delivered (from death).
زان زمرد مار را دیده جهد ** کور گردد مار و ره‌رو وا رهد
When that Prince (Iblís) had laid thorns on this road, every one that was wounded (by them) cried, “Curse Iblís!”
چون برین ره خار بنهاد آن رئیس ** هر که خست او گفته لعنت بر بلیس
Meaning to say, “This pain is (fallen) upon me through his treachery”: he (Iblís) who is taken as a model (by the wicked) was the first to tread the path of treason.
یعنی این غم بر من از غدر ویست ** غدر را آن مقتدا سابق‌پیست
Truly, generation on generation came (into being) after him, and all set their feet on his way (followed his practice).1955
بعد ازو خود قرن بر قرن آمدند ** جملگان بر سنت او پا زدند
Whosoever institutes an evil practice, O youth, in order that people may blindly fall in after him,
هر که بنهد سنت بد ای فتا ** تا در افتد بعد او خلق از عمی